Enhanced Electrochemical H sub(2) Evolution by Few-Layered Metallic WS sub(2(1-x))Se sub(2x) Nanoribbons

• Published in: Advanced functional materials Vol. 25; no. 38; pp. 6077 - 6083
• Main Authors: Wang, Fengmei, Li, Jinshan, Wang, Feng, Shifa, Tofik Ahmed, Cheng, Zhongzhou, Wang, Zhenxing, Xu, Kai, Zhan, Xueying, Wang, Qisheng, Huang, Yun, Jiang, Chao, He, Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Distortion; Durability; Electrocatalysts; Hydrogen evolution; Lattices; Nanostructure; Phases; Tafel slopes
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201502680

As an effective alternative to noble platinum electrocatalyst, earth abundant and inexpensive layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are investigated for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Compared with binary TMDs, the tunably composed ternary TMDs have hitherto received relatively little attention. Here, few-layered ternary WS sub(2(1-x))Se sub(2x) nanoribbons (NRs) with metallic 1T phases, much more catalytically active in HER, are prepared for the first time. The favorable Delta G sub(H) super(o) introduced by the tensile region on the surface, along with the presence of local lattice distortions of the WS sub(2(1-x))Se sub(2x) nanoribbons with metallic 1T phases, greatly promotes the HER process. These ternary NRs achieve the lowest overpotential of approximately 0.17 V at 10 mA cm super(-2) and a Tafel slope of approximately 68 mV dec super(-1) at a low catalyst loading ( approximately 0.30 plus or minus 0.02 mg cm super(-2)). Notably, the long-term durability suggests the potential of practical applications in acid electrolytes. The results here suggest that the ternary WS sub(2(1-x))Se sub(2x) NRs with 1T phases are prominent alternatives to platinum-based HER electrocatalysts. Few-layered ternary WS sub(2(1-x))Se sub(2x) nanoribbons (NRs) with metallic 1T phases are prepared. The favorable Gibbs free energy for hydrogen absorption ( Delta G sub(H) super(o)) of the WS sub(2(1-x))Se sub(2x) NRs, introduced by the tensile region and local lattice distortions, greatly promotes the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The results suggest that the metallic WS sub(2(1-x))Se sub(2x) NRs are potential alternatives for HER electrocatalysts.